SB1607 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 09512 SPS 19575 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB1607

Introduced 2/4/2025, by Sen. David Koehler

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Illinois Freedom Trails Commission Act. Establishes the Illinois Freedom Trails Commission. Provides that the purpose of the Commission shall be to explore, research, and commemorate the journeys of freedom seekers and the sites and landmarks in the State that became the networks of the Underground Railroad. Provides that the Commission shall implement educational, landmark preservation, and grant programs. Sets forth provisions concerning membership; terms; compensation; administrative support; and staff. Provides that the Commission shall submit an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning State government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Illinois Freedom Trails Commission Act.

Section 5. Establishment of Commission.

(a) The Illinois Freedom Trails Commission is established. The purposes of the Commission are to explore, research, and commemorate the journeys of freedom seekers and the sites and landmarks in this State that became the networks of the Underground Railroad.

(b) The Commission shall consist of a chairperson and 20 additional members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The membership may include, but is not limited to, persons who are public officials, scholars, and community-based activists who have knowledge and interest in promoting the work of the Commission. Members shall be broadly representative of the State and the variety of groups interested in promoting the work of the Commission.

(c) The terms of the members shall be 4 years. Members shall serve until their successors are appointed and qualified. Any vacancy in the membership of the Commission shall be filled by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate for the unexpired term. Members shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses.

(d) The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall provide administrative and other support to the Commission.

(e) Subject to appropriation, the Commission shall hire a full-time professional staff to implement Commission projects.

Section 10. Duties of Commission. The Commission shall have the following duties:

(1) to provide resources for individuals and local entities seeking to learn more about the Underground Railroad in Illinois, including:

(A) an online resource website, including, but not limited to maps of journeys, historical sites, and conductor cemetery markers;

(B) a calendar of related events in this State;

(C) research sources and bibliographies;

(D) videos and links to videos; and

(E) pictures, brief histories, and other materials developed locally and at the State level;

(2) collaborate with organizations focusing on the Underground Railroad, including:

(A) local and regional Underground Railroad groups;

(B) county and regional historical societies;

(C) museums, especially museums that focus on slavery and the African American experience;

(D) academic programs, especially African American Studies at the college level and history departments; and

(E) organizations in African American communities;

(3) to create a grant funding program;

(4) to work with the National Park Service's Network to Freedom program and serve as a liaison between the National Park Service and local entities;

(5) to explore heritage tourism opportunities connecting the locations of freedom seeker journeys and Underground Railroad sites, working with the Illinois Office of Tourism and regional tourism agencies; and

(6) to connect freedom seekers and Underground Railroad stories to the range of freedom stories across and throughout the history of Illinois.

Section 15. Online database and educational programs.

(a) The Commission shall create a publicly available website that includes educational material concerning freedom seekers' journeys on the portions of the Underground Railroad in this State, including:

(1) an updated database of freedom seekers and their journeys to and through Illinois;

(2) an updated map of the geography of the Underground Railroad in Illinois; and

(3) a biographical dictionary of key persons identified with the Underground Railroad in Illinois, including freedom seekers, abolitionist allies, and pro-slavery antagonists.

(b) The Commission, in collaboration with the State Board of Education, shall develop and implement an educational program to be made available to every public school in this State. The educational program shall include instruction on:

(1) events of African American history, including the African slave trade, slavery in the United States, and the vestiges of slavery in this country;

(2) the journeys of freedom seekers and the Underground Railroad in Illinois; and

(3) additional resources and activities to be used in February as part of Black History Month.

(c) The Commission shall identify scholars in higher education and community-based organizations to engage in research and to be recruited into a speakers' bureau on the Underground Railroad and anti-slavery activity in Illinois.

(d) The Commission shall support and publicize local activities in this State that focus on the Underground Railroad, including offering exhibits at meetings of organizations open to spreading knowledge about abolitionism and the Underground Railroad. The Commission shall focus on supporting organizations in African American communities, including assisting members of those communities undertake research related to the history of their communities.

Section 20. Historic site and landmark recognition and preservation.

(a) The Commission shall develop statewide guidelines for the evaluation of freedom seeker journeys and Underground Railroad sites and landmarks in the State. The Commission shall use the guidelines to determine and maintain a list of freedom seeker journeys and Underground Railroad sites and landmarks and make the list available to the public. The Commission shall include a contact person who represents the site or landmark for each site or landmark included on the list.

(b) The Commission shall develop standards and guidelines for historic markers, signage, and other commemorative tools and activities for sites and landmarks listed under subsection (a). The Commission shall also assist sites and landmarks listed under subsection (a) that are threatened with demolition or deterioration.

(c) The Commission shall assist individuals and historic preservation organizations in assessing freedom seeker journeys and Underground Railroad sites and landmarks and shall collaborate with the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener program, the Department of Natural Resources, and other partners concerning opportunities for the development of freedom seeker journeys and Underground Railroad sites and landmarks.

Section 25. Grant program. Subject to appropriation, the Commission may award grants for the following purposes:

(1) to research and identify freedom seeker journeys and Underground Railroad sites and landmarks;

(2) to develop heritage tourism and promotional activities on the Underground Railroad, including exhibits, lectures, symposiums, and online materials; and

(3) to support an Underground Railroad cemetery marker program.

Section 30. Annual report. The Commission shall submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly by July 1, 2026, and each year thereafter. The report shall include, at a minimum, a description of the programs administered by the Commission.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.